Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/1

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/2 What does a frame do for a picture?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/3 How do differences in what we choose to frame or display reflect choices based on individual preferences? On family priorities? On cultural values?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/4 “... a curriculum framework provides general guidance on planning learning environments and experiences for young children.” (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3, page 3)

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/5 The curriculum framework provides: Principles An overview of key components of curriculum planning for young children, including observation, documentation, and reflection Descriptions of routines, environments, and materials Sample strategies for building on children’s knowledge, skills, and interests

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/6 Curriculum planning involves: Arranging the environment and materials into interest areas for self-initiated play and learning. Using a variety of activities that are indoor and outdoor. Organizing daily routines as contexts for learning. Using a variety of activities that are teacher guided in small or large groups. (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3, pages 15–29)

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/7 What does a framework provide when these curriculum components are considered in curriculum planning and put into practice?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/8 What would the eight overarching principles provide?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/9 What would consideration of materials and environments provide? What would consideration of interactions and strategies provide?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Getting Readyhttp://facultyinitiative.wested.org/10 What new ideas, concepts, or insights do you have from this learning experience? What are some continuing challenges with the concept of a curriculum framework? What additional information would you like to know about the concept of a curriculum framework? What are some steps you can take to obtain that information?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/1

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/2 The curriculum framework is designed to be used as a resource in curriculum planning. It parallels the organization of the learning foundations. Volume 3 addresses History–Social Science Science

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/3 The foundations are the what and the curriculum framework is the how. The foundations are goal-like statements that describe what children typically learn and develop with optimal support. The curriculum framework provides guidance for how teachers can intentionally support this learning and development.

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/4 The curriculum framework does not provide suggestions for working directly on any specific foundations. The curriculum framework suggests learning environments, materials, and strategies that provide repeated experiences for children as they progress in their learning and development in each domain.

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/5 Introduction (pp. 2–3) California’s Preschool Children (pp. 3–5) Overarching Principles (pp. 5–9) Organization of the Framework (pp. 9–11) English-Language Development and Learning in All Domains (pp. 11–14) Universal Design for Learning (p. 14)

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/6 Read the following sections: Curriculum Planning (pp. 15–24) The Daily Schedule (pp. 24–29) The Curriculum-Planning Process (pp. 29–37)

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/7 Read the following parts of the chapter: Curriculum Planning (pp. 15–24) The Daily Schedule (pp. 24–29) The Curriculum-Planning Process (pp. 29–37) ~ Note 1–2 key points for each section

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/8 What key concepts or key points stood out from your reading or the class discussion? What was new? What was particularly interesting? How might you use your understanding of the Chapter 1 content in your teaching? What content do you want to explore further? How will you begin this exploration?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/9 What was consistent between the two domains? What consistencies or differences did you notice about the guiding principles or environments and materials? What other similarities or differences in the structure or organization of the content did you identify in the two domains?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/10 What words or images from the visual representations are the most memorable for you? Which ones appealed to you the most? Why?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/11 How do these representations of the content of the two chapter domains of the California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 help you understand and remember the content? What are some ways you can use this understanding of the two domain chapters in your teaching and work with children and families?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/12 Handout ~ History–Social Science Domain – Summary of the Strands and Substrands (p. 50) Science Domain – Summary of the Strands and Substrands (p. 152)

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/13 The foundations are the what and the curriculum framework is the how. The foundations are goal-like statements that describe what children typically learn and develop with optimal support. The curriculum framework provides guidance for how teachers can intentionally support this learning and development.

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/14 What did you notice about the strands, substrands, and foundations of the two domains in the publications? What was particularly interesting or engaging? What supported your understanding of the substrand?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/15 What helped you see the difference between the foundations as the what and the curriculum framework as the how? What is one feature from the foundations and one from the curriculum framework that you will use to guide your work in supporting children’s learning in history and the social sciences?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/16 Think about the work you did in the first 3 chapters of the California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3, what are some things you remember? What engaged you the most? Which aspects seemed the most important to you? What was possibly confusing?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/17 What are some of the key themes that are in Chapter 1 and are carried forward in the two domain chapters? How would you describe the California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 in one sentence?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/18 What are some ideas, concepts, or strategies that you learned from this class session? Which ones reinforced what you have already learned or experienced? Which ones were new or caused you to think differently about teaching preschool children and/or engaging their families?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 1http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/19 Why do you think the content of this class session was presented the way it was? How did this approach help you understand the content? What else would have helped? How will you decide what to apply from this class session in your work with preschool children and/or their families? What will you do to ensure you will implement what you have decided to use?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/1

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/2 What do we mean by “principle”? Basic assumption Value-based standard Belief- and ethics-based characteristic

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/3 The eight overarching principles: Are derived from research on what is effective practice and what supports children’s learning and development. Have guided the development of the curriculum framework and are intended to provide children “individually, culturally, and linguistically responsive learning experiences and environments” (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3, p. 5).

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/4 1. Relationships are central.5. Family and community partnerships create meaningful connections. 2. Play is a primary context for learning. 6. Individualization of learning includes all children. 3. Learning is integrated.7. Responsiveness to culture and language supports children’s learning. 4. Intentional teaching enhances children’s learning experiences. 8. Time for reflection and planning enhances teaching.

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/5 What did you notice about the key points and phrases? Where did you see similarities? Where did you see differences? What do you think accounts for the similarities and differences? Which phrases or sentences occurred more frequently than others in each principle? Why might that be so?

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/6 Would you change any of your sentences or phrases after seeing some that were different? If so, how and why would you change them? If not, why not? What did this learning experience tell you about the eight overarching principles?

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/7

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/8 Relationships are central How are relationships made central? Play is a primary context for learning What evidence is there that play is a primary context for learning? Learning is integrated What do you see that suggests that learning is integrated?

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/9 Intentional teaching enhances children’s learning experiences What examples of intentional teaching have you seen? Family and community partnerships create meaningful connections How are meaningful connections made with families and communities?

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/10 Individualization of learning includes all children How are learning opportunities provided for all children as individuals?

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/11 Responsiveness to culture and language supports children’s learning How is children’s learning supported with responsiveness to culture and language? Time for reflection and planning enhances teaching How is time provided for teachers to reflect and plan?

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/12

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/13 Which overarching principles or domain guiding principles stood out for you? What was relatively easy about doing this comparison? What was more difficult? Why? Where did you find some close matches between the overarching principles and the domain guiding principles? Where were there some guiding principles for a domain that did not seem to relate to any of the eight overarching principles?

Overarching Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/14 What did this comparison tell you about the eight overarching principles? About the guiding principles for each domain? HISTORY– SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCE

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/15 What stood out for you from this learning experience? What was particularly interesting or engaging? What new insights or perspectives did you develop about the eight overarching principles?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/16 Which overarching principle do you feel you need to learn more about in order to apply it to young children’s learning in history and the social sciences or science? What is a first step you can take to start your learning?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/17 What are some ideas, concepts, or strategies that you learned from this class session? Which ones reinforced what you have already learned or experienced? Which ones were new or caused you to think differently about teaching preschool children and/or engaging their families?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/18 Why do you think the content of this class session was presented the way it was? How did this approach help you understand the content? What else would have helped? How will you decide what to apply from this class session in your work with preschool children and/or their families? What will you do to ensure you will implement what you have decided to use?

Deeper Understanding: Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/19 Preschool English Learners: Principles and Practices to Promote Language, Literacy, and Learning, nd ed. Sacramento: California Department of Education. Ten principles are found throughout the Preschool English Learners Guide and are summarized in Appendix A on page 93 of that publication.

Deeper Understanding: Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/20 “Early Childhood Curriculum, Assessment, and Program Evaluation: Building an Effective, Accountable System in Programs for Children Birth Through Age 8.” ~ Position statement with expanded resources by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), The guiding principles and values are on page 5 of the NAEYC document, which is available at

Deeper Understanding: Principles Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 2http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/21 Write a paper comparing these principles with the 8 overarching principles from the California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3, addressing: Where are there similarities? What do these similarities tell us about what is important in the field of early care and education? Where are the differences? Why might there be these differences?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/1

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Curriculum Planning Cycle Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/3 Reflective Curriculum Planning Process (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3, page 31) The process is a recurring cycle; some part of the process always is engaged for individual children, small groups, and large groups. Reflection is the “glue” that connects the various components of the process.

Curriculum Planning Cycle Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/4 Reflective Curriculum Planning Process (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3, page 31) The components of the curriculum-planning process are implemented repeatedly in daily routines and activities and across environments, materials, and interactions. Documentation is a process as well as a product.

Curriculum Planning Cycle Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/5 Define Observing Documenting Planning Implementing

Curriculum Planning Cycle Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/6

Curriculum Planning Cycle Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/7 Reflective Curriculum Planning Process How and when are observations done? What are the systems for documentation? How is reflection supported and facilitated? How and when does planning occur? Who is involved?

Curriculum Planning Cycle Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/8 Reflective Curriculum Planning Process How does planning address individual children, child-initiated activities, small group activities, large group activities, and teacher- directed activities? How do observations and reflection influence daily routines? How are families involved in the planning process?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/9 What stood out for you from this exploration of the curriculum-planning process? What was particularly interesting or engaging? What was concerning or confusing?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/10 What questions did this raise for you about using this curriculum-planning process in your teaching? Which component(s) do you feel you can do? Where would you like more support? What is one idea or strategy you learned about the curriculum-planning process that you will apply in your work with children and families?

Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/11 What are some ideas, concepts, or strategies that you learned from this class session? Which ones reinforced what you have already learned or experienced? Which ones were new or caused you to think differently about teaching preschool children and/or engaging their families?

California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3 Introduction to the Framework: Unit 1, Key Topic 3http://facultyinitiative.wested.org/12 Why do you think the content of this class session was presented the way it was? How did this approach help you understand the content? What else would have helped? How will you decide what to apply from this class session in your work with preschool children and/or their families? What will you do to ensure you will implement what you have decided to use?